Therapy, Without the Couch

Alisa and I discuss her holistic and spiritual approach to treating mental health. We explore artistic and creative avenues to manage mood states. Alisa shares her own trauma journey and how healing comes in many forms beyond traditional talk therapy.

Alisa Gracheva is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, trauma specialist, author, and creator of the Trauma W.O.R.K. Method, an integrative approach designed to help individuals recognize and transform deeply rooted patterns shaped by their experiences.

With over a decade of experience in mental health, Alisa specializes in trauma, PTSD, grief and loss, life transitions, and personal growth. Her approach combines evidence-based therapies, including EMDR, CBT, Somatic Practices, Logotherapy, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), with holistic healing and spiritual guidance.

As the author of Walking with Spirit and founder of the Trauma W.O.R.K. Method, Alisa bridges neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality to help individuals move beyond survival patterns, reconnect with their inner strength, and create lasting, meaningful change.

I speak to one of our resident eating disorder experts about my own journey with faulty beliefs and disordered eating and exercise habits. I want listeners to see that it's one thing to know facts and have studied, and quite another to implement and practice what we preach. I am on my own journey, alongside all of you. We discuss body image, social media, and setting clear goals for yourself.

Kristen began her studies by receiving her Bachelors in Arts in Psychology at the University of Miami and going on to receive her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with a dual specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Barry University. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Kristen has worked in several different levels of care ranging from outpatient services, in-home therapy, residential and partial-hospitalization. She has extensive experience in working with a wide range of issues such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, OCD, impulsive behavior, trauma, substance abuse/use, self-harming behaviors and self-esteem issues. She has worked with a wide variety of young adults/adults, adolescents, families and couples. Her therapeutic style is collaborative, authentic, and empathic with a belief that a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship is the foundation of successful therapy.

Dr Curtis explains to us all what a doula is and how they can guide the birth process. She elaborates on the impact of stress, trauma, and expectations on the delivery process. We explore the mind-body connection and debunk certain beliefs around childbirth.

H.E. Dr. Toni Curtis, CD(DONA), LCCE, CLC, CVD(TVL), CHW, SpBCPE, SpBAP, GPBA is a highly awarded maternal health advocate, author, educator, and founder of BirthWise, a maternal and women's health practice spanning maternal health, women's wellness, and professional education. With nearly 30 years in birth work, she is the pioneer of The Lifespan Birth Method™, an integrated, evidence-based approach to birth and lifelong women's health.

She serves as Director of Advocacy at DONA International, United Nations Representative, Africana Women Working Group (AWWG) ECOSOC, and a member of the Forttuna Global Advisory Board. She is also Commander of The Most Excellent Order of International Experts (COIE) and holds an Honorary Ph.D. from CICA International University, which holds consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC.

Dr. Curtis is the author of Beyond Depletion: A Nutritional Therapist Guide to Postpartum Healing, which reflects her whole-person approach to postpartum restoration, nutrition, and long-term maternal wellness.

She has received numerous national and international honors for her work in maternal health, wellness, education, and advocacy.

Simi and I discuss her own trauma narrative and the importance of language and storytelling to shape her view of herself after this experience. We explore her desire to guide others to find their true stories, and share in a forum of authenticity and connection.

Simi Krishnan is an author, storyteller, strategist, speaker, and community advocate whose work sits at the intersection of data, creativity, healing, and human connection. With more than 25 years of experience in marketing analytics, data strategy, and decision sciences, Simi has spent her career helping organizations understand people and make smarter, more meaningful decisions.

She is the creator of The Triad of Thought, a framework exploring the relationship between instinct, intellect, and integration and how we can reconnect with our inner voice while navigating life’s most difficult decisions.

Simi is also the co-owner and producer of The People Tree, a storytelling platform that creates space for people to share the experiences, struggles, and triumphs that make us human. Through her writing, storytelling, speaking, and community work, she is passionate about helping people feel seen, heard, and empowered to tell their own stories.

At the heart of everything Simi does is a simple belief: our stories shape us, but they don’t have to define us

I chat with Kimberly about parenting, coaching, coping, relationships, growth & more! How do you speak to yourself, your partner, your kids...?

Kimberly Spencer is a high-performance business coach & visibility strategist, international TEDx speaker, the founder of Crown Yourself® and CEO of Communication Queens, and #1 bestselling author the 4X award-winning book, “Make Every Podcast Want You: How to Become So Radically Interesting You’ll Barely Keep from Interviewing Yourself" which was named one of the "Top Books of 2024 to Change Your Life." From her entrepreneurial beginnings on the streets of suburbia selling bags of glitter water at five to her neighbors to becoming an award-winning screenwriter, certified Pilates instructor, Miss Congeniality, and having a successful exit as president of a national e-commerce company, Kimberly is proof that it's better to make your own mold than to conform to someone else's. Recently, she blew up the box with the debut release of her children's book, It's Just A Fart. With 2X award-nominated top podcasts for her businesses, Crown Yourself® and Communication Queen, Kimberly is elevating the conversation for visionary leaders to get their voices heard, leveraging strategy + spirituality. A warrior for humankind's infinite possibility and an unsinkable optimist, this mom of three is on a quest to revolutionize mindsets from fear to faith so that you can stand in your power authentically, and conscious lead the next generation to create a more loving, compassionate, fulfilled world. Her work has been featured on over 300+ podcasts, Netflix, The CW, ESPN, NPR, Thrive Global, CNBC, and Forbes, and soon on Daymond John's Next Level CEO TV Show, available on all streaming platforms.

We discuss burnout, lifestyle changes toward health and wellness, and what one is willing to sacrifice to achieve one's goals. We also explore alternative, complementary, and unique treatment avenues - and a website she has developed to "match make" providers with patients.

Alenka has spent almost 15 years in the corporate world as an overachiever. Eventually it caught up with her and she burnt out. A year later, just as she was recovering mentally, she tore apart her ankle and has spent the last two years recovering from it. When following the doctors' advice wasn't working, she started conducting her own research and began a holistic approach to healing, backed by science. She soon realized that for those who have not found answers in conventional medicine, finding solutions elsewhere is incredibly confusing. Leveraging the skills she gained from designing and building software for others, she decided to create something that would connect experts to those in need. SAHA is a platform that matches health professionals to individuals based on shared values and current needs. https://sahacollective.com

Terry and I discuss coping with life's hurdles, maintaining a level attitude through core values, and why it's normal for men to have feelings too!

Terry Tucker is an author, speaker, and podcast guest on the topics of motivation, mindset, and self-development. He has a business administration degree from The Citadel (where he played NCAA Division I college basketball) and a master’s degree from Boston University. Among his diverse professional roles, Terry has been a marketing executive, a hospital administrator, a SWAT Hostage Negotiator, a business owner, and for the past fourteen years, a cancer warrior (which saw the amputation of his foot in 2018 and his leg in 2020). He is the author of the books Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life, and Four Truths and a Lie, Ancient Wisdom For Living Your Modern Purpose. Terry has been published in Authority, Thrive Global, and Human Capital Leadership magazines, along with being quoted and highlighted in the books, Your Blueprint for Purpose by John Creekmur and Audaciousness, Your Journey To Living A Bold And Authentic Life by Maribel Ortega and Helen Strong. https://www.motivationalcheck.com/who-we-are.html

I sit down with author and relationship coach Monica Tanner as we discuss the overlap and divergence in our approaches to teaching couples better communication and connection skills. -------- Monica Tanner, Relational Life Therapy Certified, Relationship Coach and host of the Secrets of Happily Ever After podcast, transforms marriages with simple communication, connection, conflict resolution and commitment strategies. Her mission is to lower the divorce rate and improve marital satisfaction. Through her engaging podcast, new Amazon Best-Selling book, Bad Marriage Advice, vibrant social media community, and couple’s coaching practice, Monica's expert guidance has impacted thousands of couples, by helping them ditch resentment and roommate syndrome and get back to living their happily ever after love story. Website: https://monicatanner.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/monitalksmarriage Youtube: https://youtube.com/@secretsofhappilyeverafter Podcast: https://secretsofhappilyeverafter.buzzsprout.com

In this episode, I have a conversation with attorney Mark Astor, a nationally recognized behavioral health law attorney with over 30 years of courtroom experience, specializing in criminal law, trial strategy, and behavioral health issues. He frequently appears as a legal analyst on various news outlets, providing insights on criminal justice, behavioral health law, and public safety matters. He is the co-founder of Astor Simovitch Law and The Mental Health & Addiction Law Firm, focusing on legal issues related to severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and involuntary commitment.

We discuss laws around mental health treatment and privacy, cases for involuntary commitment, options for family members concerned about their loved ones, and of course, the recent Lindsay Clancy trial.

I interview guest Pavini Moray, a somatic coach and Relational Life Therapy (RLT) practitioner with a PhD in Somatic Psychology. We discuss relationships, communication skills, gender differences, how to access emotions (verbally and physically), coping mechanisms, the value of rituals in our spiritual and emotional life, and the practice of RLT, in which traumatic issues are processed in therapy with the relationship partner also in the room. PaviniMoray.com